Chrome & Carols: Festive fundraiser supports United way

By BRANDY CRUZ | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR and courtesy of UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL TEXAS

The spirit of the season shines bright every year as members of the Central Texas community come together to spread love — love for one’s neighbors and love for the community — by giving back to an organization that gives so much of itself.

For more than 70 years, the United Way of Central Texas has helped to positively impact the community by mobilizing the resources necessary to improve the quality of life for individuals. Since the nonprofit organization’s campaign funds go directly to support other local nonprofits, it needs help to keep them in business, which is where the Chrome & Carols Festival of Trees comes into play.

“This event is important to me because it’s an opportunity for the companies to see another side of United Way — the fun side,” said Veshell Greene, interim president and CEO of United Way of Central Texas. “They know us by campaigns. They know us by our outreach in the community. This also gives them another glimpse into the many faces of United Way.”

Now in its 14th year, the annual fundraising event raffles off themed and decorated Christmas trees, along with approximately $1,000 worth of gifts with each tree. The trees, decorated by Precious Memories, come in a variety of themes, including spiritual, funny, patriotic and more.

“I love the transformation and the joy that it brings people to see the different versions of trees, even if it’s not something they would use for their own home,” said Seleese Thompson, owner of Precious Memories. “They love the variety of themes and the inspiration it gives them.”

Greene said the trees never look the same, so it’s exciting to see them year after year.

“I think my favorite memory, every year, is watching the people’s faces as they are looking at a tree and they find another element or see another gift tucked away,” Greene said.

Raffle tickets are one for $1, 70 for $50, or 200 for $100. Greene explained that there’s a bucket for each tree and participants place raffle tickets in a bucket for whichever tree they want to win. The person with the winning ticket receives the tree, decorations and all the gifts under the associated tree. The tree, decorations and gifts are packed up that evening by volunteer elves from the Ralph Wilson Youth Club, so the winner can take them home. Greene said some businesses that win will then use the gifts as gifts to the employees in their office.

After organizing the event for the past eight years, Greene said it’s wonderful to see how much it’s evolved based on feedback. One of this year’s changes is the return of paper tickets. Greene said they tried digital tickets in the past, but there’s just something people enjoy about paper tickets.

Admission to the event is $75, which includes dinner, dessert and non-alcoholic drinks. Proceeds help offset the costs of maintaining the United Way of Central Texas building in downtown Temple. Greene said no campaign funds are ever used toward the building, so this fundraiser helps keep them operational. The annual event also serves as a kick-start for the holiday season for many in Central Texas.

“Chrome and Carols has become such a start for the holidays for people,” Thompson said. “It gets people really jazzed up (for Christmas).”

14th Annual Chrome & Carols
Date: Dec. 3
Location: Frank W. Mayborn Civic & Convention Center in Temple
Tickets: www.uwct.org/events/chrome-carols

This holiday season is full of festivities throughout Central Texas. If you love to embrace holiday cheer, other events that will help put your in the spirit of the season can be found here.